Springfield Hospital's Board has today agreed to appeal against Wandsworth Council's decision to refuse planning permission for a major re-development of the hospital site.

In December 2010 Springfield Hospital had applied to build a development of 850 housing units on the site.  This was rejected by Wandsworth Council following over 4000 objections from local residents.

Sadiq Khan MP said, “I’m disappointed that the Trust Board has chosen to ignore the views of over 4000 local residents and the democratically elected councillors who rejected this planning application.

“I support the Trust’s aims to improve clinical care and provide the best possible facilities for their patients, but their approach to this re-development has been flawed since the outset, causing further delays to the improvement of hospital facilities.

“Springfield Hospital have defended this decision by claiming that they have consulted widely with the public  – if that was the case they’d know their plans are extremely unpopular and will continue to be opposed by thousands of their neighbours.

“If Springfield Hospital want to be good neighbours they should develop a plan that local residents can support – not bulldoze through this unpopular planning application.

“If they fail to do this they will continue to face major opposition from my constituents, and these delays, which are harming patient care, will continue.”